bilateral

Compared meaning: shared or given by both sides (adjective).

比较义项：由双方（或多方）共同拥有、给予或感受到的（形容词）。

• mutual

  Describes a feeling, interest or relationship shared equally between two or more people; common in everyday, personal contexts (mutual friend, mutual respect); does not imply a formal agreement or an exchange.

  描述两人或多人共同拥有的感情、兴趣或关系；常用于日常、私人语境（如 mutual friend、mutual respect）；不隐含正式协议或回报交换。

  Mutual trust between neighbors made borrowing tools no big deal.

  邻居之间的相互信任，让互相借用工具完全不是问题。

• bilateral 本词

  Formal register, used mainly in politics, diplomacy or business; describes agreements, talks or arrangements made jointly by two specific countries, organizations or parties, not personal feelings.

  语域正式，主要用于政治、外交或商业场合；描述由两个具体国家、组织或团体共同达成的协议、会谈或安排，不用于个人感情。

  The two presidents held a bilateral meeting to improve diplomatic relations.

  两国总统举行了一场双边会晤，以改善外交关系。

• reciprocal

  Emphasizes an exchange: each side gives or feels back what the other gives; often used with 'arrangement' or 'exchange', or as a predicate ('the feeling is reciprocal'); implies fairness and give-and-take.

  强调一种交换：双方彼此给予或感受对方所给予的；常与 arrangement、exchange 搭配，或作表语（the feeling is reciprocal）；隐含公平、你来我往的意味。

  True friendship depends on reciprocal kindness, not favors given only once.

  真正的友谊靠的是相互的善意，而不是只给一次的恩惠。

Mutual, bilateral, and reciprocal describe something shared by both sides, but use differs. Mutual is neutral, for personal feelings, as in 'mutual friend'. Bilateral is formal, for political or business agreements between two countries. Reciprocal stresses an exchange, each side giving what the other gives.

这三个词都表示某种感情、行为或安排由双方共同拥有，但语气和使用场合不同：mutual 语气中性，多用于日常的情感或兴趣；bilateral 属于正式用语，多见于政治、外交或商业场合的协议和会谈；reciprocal 强调你来我往、对等回报的交换感，常见于友谊、善意或安排等语境。